<p>Hi, I'm a freshman at W&M currently, and looking to transfer to UVA. I originally applied to the CAS, but I've been looking into architecture, and it seems like something I'd like to do. If I get accepted (which may not happen with my 3.15 GPA :-/) would I be able to start doing architecture next year or would I have to wait to enter the architecture school my junior year?</p>
<p>Also, what are people's thoughts about architecture in general? I started college as a history major, but am now looking to go back to the sciences. I've always been pretty creative in music and art, which is why architecture attracted me.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>I posted this once before, and it might interest you about UVA's Architecture School. Though I'm not a big proponent of rankings, I find this particular one noteworthy in that it is based on input from the people who have to hire and work with the graduates of the country's architecture schools - the professional architects themselves. </p>
<p>The Design Futures Council has ranked UVa Architecture the 3rd Best Graduate Program in the country (only after Harvard and the University of Cincinnati - who knew Cincinnati was that good?). According to the following link, "The rankings are based on a survey of the nations leading employers in the fields of engineering, design and architecture. Respondents were asked to reflect on graduates that they have hired during the past five years and to consider 'how prepared for real-world practice' those graduates have been and then to indicate from which schools those best-prepared hires had graduated."</p>
<p><a href="http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006/20060120ArchitectureRanking.html%5B/url%5D">http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006/20060120ArchitectureRanking.html</a></p>
<p>mightymeals, i believe that the architecture program has their own transfer process, so you couldn't go directly from A&S without applying to them to transfer. If that is really what you want to do then you should call them soon and find out about the process because I think 3rd year is too late to start A-school.</p>